Bayonet lug extension for an ar-15 carbine length rifle

ABSTRACT

A bayonet lug extension for AR-15 design carbine length rifles. The bayonet lug extension positions a bayonet relative to the barrel end to have the proper amount of blade available for use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bayonet lugs for firearms and, moreparticularly, to a bayonet lug extension for an AR-15 carbine lengthrifle.

Standard military issue bayonets designed to fit M-16 rifles will notinstall correctly on an AR-15 rifles that are provisioned with a carbinelength barrel. Currently all AR-15 rifles with carbine length barrelshave the bayonet lug located too far away from the flash suppressorresulting in the bayonet support ring resting loosely on the barrel,thereby causing undesirable radial movement.

This placement also shortens the blade length protruding past the end ofbarrel. This results in a condition where a significant portion of thebayonet blade does not extend beyond the end of the rifle barrel,thereby limiting its effectiveness. While, other devices replace theflash suppressor with a modified flash suppressor that provides radialsupport for the bayonet support ring, but the substitution of flashsuppressors does not correct the issue of the shortened blade lengthprotruding past end of barrel, reducing the bayonet's functionality andeffectiveness.

In short, other systems fail to re-position the bayonet forward to themilspec location specified on full barrel length AR-15/M-16 rifles.Since they do not re-position the bayonet forward to the mil specposition on the rifle, the overall length of functional bayonet bladelength is reduced by up to 40%.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved bayonet mounting lug, sothat bayonet will have the proper amount of blade available for use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a bayonet lug extension,comprises

a bayonet lug adapter, adapted to releaseably attach to a bayonet lug ona rifle; and a bayonet receiver lug, adapted to releaseably attach to abayonet lug groove defined in an end of a bayonet handle; wherein saidbayonet lug adapter and said bayonet receiver lug are spaced apart onsaid bayonet lug extension such that a support ring on said bayonethandle may be received in a flash suppressor of said rifle.

In another aspect of the invention, the bayonet lug adapter furthercomprises a latch plate pivotally attached to the bayonet lug adapter,and the latch plate is releaseably engageable with a bayonet lug slot onsaid bayonet lug.

The latch plate may further comprise a protrusion releaseably engageablewith the bayonet lug slot. In certain embodiments, a spring biases thelatch plate protrusion for engagement in the bayonet lug slot.

In other aspects of the invention, the bayonet lug adapter furthercomprises a substantially T-shaped slot, wherein the T-shaped slot isadapted to receive said bayonet lug of the rife.

In another aspect, the bayonet lug extension further comprising a spacerinterposed between said bayonet lug adapter and said bayonet receiverlug. In some embodiments, the bayonet lug adapter, bayonet receiver lugand the extension spacer comprise a unitary body.

According to another aspect of the invention a bayonet lug extensioncomprises: a bayonet lug adapter, having a T-shaped slot defined in atop surface of the bayonet lug adapter, a slot defined in an outerlateral surface of the bayonet lug adapter, and a latch plate pivotallyreceived in the slot. An extension spacer operatively connects thebayonet lug adapter with a bayonet receiver bracket. The bayonetreceiver bracket comprises a bayonet receiver lug adapted to receiveattachment of an end of a bayonet handle.

In other embodiments, the latch plate further comprises a protrusion ata top end of the latch plate, wherein the protrusion is selectivelypositioned between a latched state and a released state. In the latchedstate the protrusion extends into the T-shaped slot. In the releasedstate the protrusion is withdrawn from the T-shaped slot. A spring maybiases the protrusion in the latched state.

In other preferred embodiments, the latch plate further comprises alatch plate finger grip at a bottom end of the plate, wherein pinchingthe finger grip positions the protrusion in the released state.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an AR-15 with an embodiment of a lugextension, with bayonet affixed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bayonet lugextension.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bayonet lug reversed 180 degreesfrom the view shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the bayonet lugextension.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bayonet lug extension in anunlatched state.

FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view of the bayonet lug extension alignedfor attachment to a rifle.

FIG. 7 is a section detail view of the bayonet lug extension along line7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a lug adaptor for the bayonet lug extension.

FIG. 9 is a detail perspective view of the bayonet lug extensioninstalled on a rifle.

FIG. 10 is a section detail view of the bayonet lug extension along line10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a section detail view of the bayonet lug extension along line11-11 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bayonet lugextension 10 for a rifle 50, such as the AR-15/M-16, provisioned with acarbine length barrel. The bayonet lug extension 10 of the presentinvention provides quick, tool free installation and removal of thebayonet lug extension 10 to the rifle 50, while providing a solid mountfor the M-16 bayonet 54.

As best seen in reference to FIG. 1, the bayonet lug extension 10permits the attachment of a bayonet 54 to the rifle 50. The bayonet lugextension 10 of the present invention properly locates a bayonet supportring 62 of the a standard M-16 bayonet 54 in proper alignment with anannular channel 64 defined at an aft end of a flash suppressor 66attached to the end of a rifle barrel 68. The bayonet 54 is attached tothe bayonet lug extension 10.

In reference to FIG. 2, the bayonet lug extension 10 comprises a lugadaptor 12, an extension spacer 38, and a bayonet receiver bracket 40.The lug adaptor 12 is configured to releaseably attach the bayonet lugextension 10 to the existing bayonet lug 52 of the rifle 50. Theextension spacer 38 provides spacing between the lug adaptor 12 and thebayonet receiver bracket 40, so that a bayonet receiver bracket lug 46is positioned, relative the barrel 68, in order to position the bayonetsupport ring 62 is in proper alignment with the annular channel 64 ofthe flash suppressor 66.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the extension spacer 38 is acylindrical rod, however any shape for the spacer is suitable so thatthe bayonet receiver bracket 40 and bayonet receiver bracket lug 46 arepositioned at the specified position on the rifle barrel 68. In thepreferred embodiment, the lug adaptor 12 comprises a bore definedthrough an aft face to receive the adaptor rod 38

In further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lug adaptor comprises a lugadaptor T-slot 14, defined through an aft face of the lug adaptor 12.The T-slot 14 is adapted to receive the existing bayonet lug 52 of therifle 50. The lug adaptor 12 also has a slot 20 defined along at leastone side face of the lug adaptor, to pivotally receive a latch plate 26therein. With additional reference to FIG. 4, latch plate 26 has aprotrusion 28 that extends inwardly at a top end of the latch plate 26and extends into the T-slot when in a latched state. A finger grip 32 isprovided at a second end of the latch plate 26 and extends downwardlyfrom slot 20 and below a lower end of the lug adaptor 12. The fingergrip 32 allows a user to position the protrusion 28 between the latchedstate and a released state for installation and removal of the lugextension 10 from the rifle 50. The latch plate 26 pivots about a pin36, extending through a latch plate pivot hole 30. As seen in referenceto FIG. 4, a bore 18 may extend between a front face and the back faceof the lug adaptor 12.

Further in reference to FIG. 7, a spring 34 is disposed in a springshaft 24 defined transversely in the lug adaptor 12, proximal to theslot 20. Spring 34 urges the lower end of the latch plate 26 outwardlysuch that the protrusion 28 is releaseably received within the T-slot 14via a T-slot inner cutout 22. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the lug adaptor is provided with a second latch plate 26 on asecond side of the lug adaptor 12, wherein the configuration of theelements are in opposed relation to the first latch plate 26. In thismanner, the latch plate protrusions 28 are in opposed relation withinT-slot 14 to engage within an existing bayonet lug slot 58 on therifle's bayonet lug 52. With particular reference to FIG. 5, the usermay squeeze the latch plate finger grips 32 together so as to overcomethe spring 34 bias against the finger plate 26 to selectively positionthe finger plates between a latched state and a released state.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lug adaptor 12 includesa lug adaptor 16 hole to receive a first end of the extension spacer 38in a tight press fitting engagement to securely attach the spacer 38 tothe lug adaptor 12. Alternatively, spacer 38 may be integrally formedwith lug adaptor 12.

Returning now to the bayonet lug receiver bracket 40, the receiverbracket 40 comprises a receiver bracket lug 46 that is shaped accordingto the existing bayonet lug 52. The receiver bracket lug 46 includes apair of receiver bracket latch teeth 42 extending outwardly from thelateral sides of the lug 46. A bayonet receiver bracket latch slot 44 isdefined between an inner face of the receiver bracket latch teeth 42 andan opposing surface of the bayonet receiver bracket 40. The bayonetreceiver bracket 40 may further comprise an aperture 48 to receive theextension spacer 38 in a tight press fitting engagement securely attachthe receiver bracket 40 with the extension spacer 38. In an alternativeembodiment of the invention, the extension spacer 38 may be integrallyformed with 43 receiver bracket 40. As will be appreciated, in certainembodiments, the bayonet lug adapter 12, extension spacer 38, and thebayonet receiver bracket 40 may be formed as a unitary body.

As seen in reference to FIG. 9, the bayonet lug extension 10 is shownattached to the existing bayonet lug 52 of the rifle 50. With particularreference to FIG. 10, the existing rifle bayonet lug 52 is receivedwithin lug adaptor T-slot 14.

Protrusions 28 at the top end of the latch plates 26 extend throughT-slot inner cutout 22 and into T-slot 14. In reference to FIG. 11, theprotrusions 28 extend into the bayonet lug slot 58 of the existing riflebayonet lug 52 to secure the bayonet lug extension 10 to the rifle 50.Returning to FIG. 1, the bayonet receiver bracket lug 46 is receivedwithin a bayonet lug groove 56 defined in an aft end of a handle of thebayonet 54.

To utilize the bayonet lug extension 10 of the present invention, a userwould grasp the device 10 in one hand, and an AR-15 with a carbinelength barrel in the other. Next they would slide the lug adaptor 12over the rifle's bayonet lug 52 until the lug adaptor 12 locks intoposition with the engagement of protrusions 28 in the bayonet lug 52bayonet lug slot 58. While the forward edge face of a bayonet lug tooth59 is angled so as to automatically separate the latch plate protrusions28, the user may need to pinch the latch plate finger grips 32 to fullyseat the bayonet lug extension 10 on the existing bayonet lug 52.

To attach a bayonet 54 to the bayonet lug extension 18, the user wouldslide the bayonet support ring 62 of an M-16 bayonet 54 over the flashsuppressor 66, while aligning the bayonet's lug groove 56 with thereceiver bracket lug 46 until the handle of the bayonet 54 slides overthe device's receiver bracket lug 46 and the bayonet locks into positionat the specified position with the bayonet support ring 62 received withthe annular channel 64 at the aft end of the flash suppressor 66.

To remove the bayonet lug adapter 10, the user would squeeze the latchplate finger grips 32 until the protruding tips 28 of the latch platerelease from the receiver bracket latch slots 44.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bayonet lug extension, comprising: a bayonetlug adapter, adapted to releaseably attach to a bayonet lug on a rifle;and a bayonet receiver lug, adapted to releaseably attach to a bayonetlug groove defined in an end of a bayonet handle; wherein said bayonetlug adapter and said bayonet receiver lug are spaced apart on saidbayonet lug extension such that a support ring on said bayonet handlemay be received in a flash suppressor of said rifle.
 2. The bayonet lugextension of claim 1, wherein said bayonet lug adapter further comprisesa latch plate pivotally attached to said bayonet lug adapter, whereinsaid latch plate is releaseably engageable with a bayonet lug slot onsaid bayonet lug.
 3. The bayonet lug extension of claim 2, wherein saidlatch plate further comprises a protrusion releaseably engageable withsaid bayonet lug slot.
 4. The bayonet lug extension of claim 3, whereinsaid bayonet lug adapter further comprises a spring, wherein said springbiases said latch plate protrusion for engagement in said bayonet lugslot.
 5. The bayonet lug extension of claim 1, wherein said bayonet lugadapter further comprises a substantially T-shaped slot, wherein saidT-shaped slot is adapted to receive said bayonet lug.
 6. The bayonet lugextension of claim 1, further comprising a spacer interposed betweensaid bayonet lug adapter and said bayonet receiver lug.
 7. The bayonetlug extension of claim 1, wherein said bayonet lug adapter, said bayonetreceiver lug and said extension spacer comprise a unitary body.
 8. Abayonet lug extension comprising: a bayonet lug adapter, comprising aT-shaped slot defined in a top surface of said bayonet lug adapter, aslot defined in an outer lateral surface of said bayonet lug adapter,and a latch plate pivotally received in said slot; an extension spacer,operatively connecting said bayonet lug adapter with a bayonet receiverbracket, wherein said bayonet receiver bracket comprises a bayonetreceiver lug adapted to receive attachment of an end of a bayonethandle.
 9. The bayonet lug extension of claim 8, wherein said latchplate further comprises a protrusion at a top end of said latch plate,wherein said protrusion is selectively positioned between a latchedstate and a released state, wherein in said latched state saidprotrusions extend into said T-shaped slot, and wherein in said releasedstate said protrusions are withdrawn from said T-shaped slot.
 10. Thebayonet lug extension of claim 8, wherein said bayonet lug adapterfurther comprises a spring, wherein said spring biases said protrusionsin said latched state.
 11. The bayonet lug extension of claim 10,wherein said latch plate further comprises a latch plate finger grip ata bottom end of said plate, wherein pinching said finger grip positionssaid protrusions in said released state.